Fish Farm Project Completes Second Stage

MALAYSIA - Aquaculture group Global Hi-Q Bio-Tech (M) Sdn Bhd has entered the second phase of a multi-million ringgit project to breed high quality tiger grouper fish in an indoor farm on Pangkor Island, Perak.

The venture is the result of a partnership between the local firm and its Taiwanese parent company Hi-Q Bio-Tech International (Taiwan) Ltd started two years ago. The second phase includes the completion of its RM13 million nursery in Teluk Dalam, according to the newspaper The Star. Hi-Q Bio-Tech managing director Johnson Chang told The Star that with the nursery now in place, the fish farming venture would start to grow. "The thing about Malaysia is that it is simply the perfect spot to breed this kind of fish," he said in his speech at the launch of the farm. Chang said the annual demand for live tiger grouper fish in China was about 8,000 tonnes in 2005 and it had been increasing. The tiger grouper was valued at US$10 (RM32) per kg in 2006 and $16 (RM52) per kg last year, said Chang. He added that Malaysia was highly suited to this type of venture because of its geographical location and climate conditions. The company believes that the new venture will turn in a profit in a short time.
View The Star story by clicking here.